Ahmad Shah’s Bahmani Mausoleum in Bidar
Famous for its unique paintings, this mausoleum—the first royal tomb of the Bahmanis in the newly established capital—was started in this verdant valley by Ahmad Shah and completed by his son and successor Allauddin Ahmad II soon after his enthronement. The non-invasive recording and planned digital restoration by Factum Foundation will bring together heritage expertise and advanced digital technologies to record and preserve one of the most significant monuments of the Deccan and the Bahmani period.
From 3 to 17 January 2026, Imran Khan and Teresa Casado are carrying out the complete recording of the tomb using LiDAR scanning, high-resolution photogrammetry, and colour panoramic photography to create a comprehensive and precise digital record of its paintings. The combination of these non-invasive techniques is able to capture architectural details, surface conditions, and spatial data with exceptional accuracy. The resulting digital archive will support future conservation, research, and interpretation efforts while ensuring long-term preservation of the monument’s material and artistic legacy.
Imran Khan recording the interior of the Ahmad Shah Wali Mausoleum © Deccan Heritage Foundation
Factum Foundation’s team and trainees from Deccan Heritage Foundation inside the tomb © Deccan Heritage Foundation
During the recording process, two students from the Deccan Studies Programme 2025 are being trained on site by Factum Foundation’s experts, with mentorship and institutional support from DHF. This hands-on engagement reinforces both Factum Foundation’s and DHF’s commitment to capacity building and transfer of skills, enabling emerging scholars to gain direct experience in heritage documentation techniques.
Through this collaboration, made possible through the generous support of an anonymous donor, DHF continues to advance an integrated model of conservation—one that combines technology, scholarship, and training to safeguard the cultural heritage of the Deccan for future generations.
Imran Khan and Teresa Casado setting up the panoramic colour recording camera © Deccan Heritage Foundation
Teresa Casado recording the colour of the mausoleum © Deccan Heritage Foundation
Imran Khan and trainees from Deccan Heritage Foundation © Deccan Heritage Foundation
LiDAR scanning training © Deccan Heritage Foundation
LiDAR scanning training © Deccan Heritage Foundation
